Metropolitan France, European administrative region of France
Metropolitan France is the European core territory of France, covering the mainland and Corsica between the Mediterranean and the English Channel. The land stretches from the Rhine in the east to the Atlantic in the west and includes coasts, mountains, river valleys, and plateaus.
The term arose during colonial times when France governed territories in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. It helped distinguish the homeland in Europe from overseas possessions.
French people often drink sparkling mineral water with meals and eat cheese after the main course, before dessert. In many towns, small shops close for two hours at lunchtime and reopen in the afternoon until evening.
Most public signage and administrative documents use French only, so a translation tool helps in many situations. Bank machines and ticket kiosks often offer menus in several languages.
The country's outline resembles a hexagon, which is why French people often refer to their homeland as l'Hexagone. This geometric similarity appears often in school textbooks and maps.
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